River Review

Crime dramas are part-and-parcel of televison these days. Whether emanating from American, Scandinavian or British shores, you will always be safe in the knowledge that these particular series will prove familiar and welcome.

While many follow their formulaic route and still remain watchable, there often comes a show that looks to shift the dynamic and present a whole new side to crime and its involved characters. Refreshing and utterly engrossing, Abi Morgan's River can be described as just that, spearheaded by a sublime Stellan Skargard in the leading role of DI John River.

River, an Inspector in the Metropolitan Police, is unlike your usual officer of the law in the world of television. This is a man whose own psychological state often provides his own personal cases to solve in addition to the ongoing specifics of the Met's investigations.

Tortured by visions and ghostly apparitions and figures, River is literally plagued as he looks to uncover the mystery of his partner's death in what is a truly enthralling show from the BBC.

When you have an individual such as Skarsgard steering the ship then you know immediately that this is a show that is well and truly in safe hands. Having plied his trade in a variety of film properties, including blockbuster entries and those of the Lars Von Trier variety, the Scandinavian master feels somewhat at home in this wonderfully presented British drama.

And all the while Skarsgard is dominating and proving the perfect leading man, the backup cast only heighten the brilliance of this haunting and dark presence, which should surely be regarded as one of the best home-grown shows of 2015. Eddie Marsan is suitably haunting as a Victorian presence haunting River, while the likes of Nicola Walker and Adeel Akhtar excel beyond belief.

What's so fantastic about River is its willingness to rip up the rule book and present itself as so much more than just 'another cop drama'. Part police investigation, part drama stooped in horror, this is a show that rarely drops the ball and certainly lingers in the memory for the long run. River is essential viewing for 2015 and could well be one of the best shows witnessed on television for some time. 

River is out on DVD and Blu-Ray on Monday 30th November.

Christmas Comes Early In The Secret Life Of Pets Promo

Whether you like it or not, it is almost a month until Christmas finally hits us and that means that certain movies are already capitalising on the festive run-in with their own unique marketing.

One such movie is The Secret Life Of Pets, the latest animation feature from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. After a brilliant first teaser some weeks ago, this new promotional video sees the pets of the movie taking part in a rather precarious Christmas photo shoot - with hilarious consequences.

You can watch the brilliant new video below.

Four More Ant-Man Clips Pave The Way For Release

Just as I brought to you a bunch of clips in anticipation for next Monday's home entertainment release of Marvel's Ant-Man, another four clips arrive, each carrying their little piece of magic and fun that represents the movie brilliantly. 

While you arrange your pre-order and gear yourself up with a Phase 3 recap, watch all the clips below.. 

Ant-Man is available on Blu-Ray and DVD on Monday 30th November. 

New Sisters Trailer Proves Poehler And Fey Are The Best

We've been hankering for another movie collaboration between Amy Poehler and Tina Fey for some time now and finally our prayers are being answered.

Sisters looks everything and more of what we expect from this brilliant, talented SNL duo and the latest trailer only hammers that message home harder than ever.

It's only a few weeks until this one hits cinemas - the perfect movie over the festive period to get you laughing and crying in equal measure - so check out the new footage and start counting down the days!

Synopsis:

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for SISTERS, a new film from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore about two disconnected sisters summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need.

Hilarious Red-Band Trailer For Dirty Grandpa

No, it's not a sequel to Johnny Knoxville's Bad Grandpa; instead we're in the company of a foul-mouthed grandpa in the form of Robert De Niro, an all-too-sensible Zac Efron, and a rather scantily-clad Aubrey Plaza. This is Dirty Grandpa.

It already sounds like a win-win situation for everyone, but wait until you see the trailer for the film...

Check out the synopsis for the film and then watch in shock as De Niro has a whale of a time as a grandpa with a whole new lease of life...

Synopsis:

Jason Kelly [Zac Efron] is one week away from marrying his boss’s uber-controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straight-laced Jason is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed grandfather, Dick [Robert De Niro], to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride. Ultimately, on the wildest journey of their lives, “dirty” Grandpa and his uptight grandson discover they can learn from one another and form the bond they never had.

Dirty Grandpa is released on 22nd January 2016.

Celebrate The Upcoming Ant-Man Release With 3 Clips!

It's just a week to go now until Marvel's smallest but mightiest hero reaches our home entertainment systems, as the Avengers' latest recruit introduces himself to the world.

Very much another stellar Marvel hit, Ant-Man tells the tale of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a cat thief suddenly finding himself embroiled in a world where he becomes the smallest of heroes. Led and tutored by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and his daughter (Evangeline Lilly), Scott must put aside his past and use his grit and determination to show the world he can make a difference.

The only problem is that one man stands in his way; Darren Cross aka Yellowjacket, who has produced his own powered suit to rival that of the newly crowned Ant-Man. 

To celebrate the upcoming home entertainment release of the movie, you can watch three great clips to whet your appetite and ensure this Christmas period is filled with laughter and action aplenty.

Brilliant Trailer & Posters For The Huntsman: Winter's War

Kristen Stewart may be absent from the sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman but it appears as though there is plenty of firepower to replace her as next year sees The Huntsman: Winter's War bring forth another tale for Chris Hemsworth's title character.

Joining him and Charlize Theron for a second bite of the cherry, the scintillating talents of both Jessica Chastain and Emily Blunt.

This is a truly remarkable quartet to lead what promises to be a fantastical and action-packed blockbuster.

To celebrate the future release, enjoy the new posters for the film, as well as the full-length trailer below.

Powerful Concussion Trailer Features A Will Smith Masterclass

There's little to deny the sheer brute talent of Will Smith, a man who possesses the chameleonic ability to jump from one genre to the next and provide the utmost of exceptional performances.

Looking to once again step into a real life story, his upcoming film Concussion explores the controversial tale of one doctor who uncovered a harsh truth within American Football that would affect the sport forever.

Featuring what looks to be a scintillating performance from Smith, backed by the acting prowess of Alec Baldwin, Concussion looks to be one not to be missed.

Synopsis: 

Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a sports-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known.  Omalu’s emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful – and beloved – institutions in the world.

The Illusions Return In Now You See Me 2 Teaser Trailer

Magicians are rarely portrayed on the big screen these days so it was a refreshing change when Now You See Me burst onto the scene and presented a certifiable entry into a majorly underused focus subject.

Such was the success of the original that a sequel is on the way and the teaser trailer for Now You See Me 2 undoubtedly looks to build upon the strengths of its predecessor and present all-new defying magic tricks.

With the crew of Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco and Jesse Eisenberg returning, joined this time by Lizzy Caplan, this is a release for next year that is firmly on the radar. There's even added Daniel Radcliffe thrown in for extra measure!

Check out the teaser trailer below.

Now You See Me 2 is released on 10th June 2016.

Insane Trailer Arrives For Gods Of Egypt Starring Gerard Butler

One man may have found fame as he took on the Persians in swords and sandals epic 300, while the other can be seen tracking Westeros as one of the most feared knights around, but now Gerard Butler and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau will battle it out in Egypt.

Spearheading the charge in the upcoming Gods Of Egypt, the pair will go head-to-head in a film that looks gloriously over-the-top and brutal to say the very least.

You only have to watch the trailer below to believe that!

Synopsis:

The survival of mankind hangs in the balance as an unexpected mortal hero Bek (Brenton Thwaites) undertakes a thrilling journey to save the world. 

In order to succeed, he must enlist the help of the powerful and vengeful god Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) in an unlikely alliance against Set (Gerard Butler), the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt’s throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict.  

As their breathtaking battle against Set and his henchmen takes them into the afterlife and across the heavens, both god and mortal must pass tests of courage and sacrifice if they hope to prevail in the epic final confrontation. 

Gods Of Egypt is released in 2016.

Exciting Trailer For The Divergent Series: Allegiant

As Tris (Shailene Woodley) and her companions look to leave behind their home and move beyond the walls of Chicago, it looks like a whole new threat is heading their way in the upcoming The Divergent Series: Allegiant.

Judging from the new trailer, this new world beyond the one they know is governed by a whole new dangerous entity and they must find their strength and courage to overcome any obstacles that come their way.

Watch the new trailer below and check out the two new character posters for the film, released on March 10th 2016.

Gripping 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi Featurette

Say what you will about Michael Bay but the man does often look towards some true life stories to create some of his undeniably explosive cinematic offerings.

While many will see his films as throwaway, it's hard not to turn your head towards his latest offering, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi. 

Starring John Krasinski, Max Martini and James Badge Dale, the film tracks the real-life events of six brave soldiers who looked to fend off Islamic terrorists at the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi.

Looking to make the film as authentic as possible, Bay took to consulting those men who were involved, and as showcased in the below featurette, ensure that they were fully involved in creating the re-imagining of this remarkable event. 

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi is out in the UK on 29th January 2016.

Interview - The Flash star Danielle Panabaker

Source: blastr

*Originally posted at Filmoria* 

Danielle Panabaker has seen her career slowly blossom over the years, from minor appearances in horrors such as The Ward, The Crazies and Friday the 13th, a regular spot on television show Shark, to becoming a regular fixture on hit show, The Flash. Having led her latest film, the sci-fi mind-bender Time Lapse, we had the opportunity to speak to the bubbly and immensely friendly actress about the film and also tried to get more information about season two of The Flash...

How did you first get involved with the film, Time Lapse?
I was at SXSW a number of years ago with a film I did then called Girls Against Boys and Lee and Coop [the writers] saw the film and Q&A and I came onto their radar. They then wrote the script and a couple of months later asked me if I would be interested.

This is a very clever and unique take on the time travel element; is this what drew you to the project or was it something different?
When I was first approached I was very impressed with how the guys had so much into this film and how they had really cleaned it up. As an actor what was incredibly appealing to me was the layers and the twists throughout the movie.

Did you enjoy working with what is a predominantly male cast? Do you enjoy representing that strong presence for women on-screen?
It's funny, it hadn't occurred to me until you mentioned it, but they were all great guys and it was nice to have them to collaborate with.

The film takes place, for the main, in one location. Were there limitations to this or was it more advantageous?
The location was found because it was about to be torn down, so we managed to rent it out and make it our own for the film. We rented out various apartments, for example, one for the grip room, one for the sound room, and it made it that easier to make it very much customised for the film's purpose. It was actually a real luxury to have such a location.

How does filming a television show compare to working on a movie?
There is something different about it. On television you are obviously working at a certain speed as you have to have an episode done in eight or nine days so there's everything to do whereas in films you have the whole run of the production. I think there are some luxuries of working on a television show and on a low budget film, but every situation is different.

Was it nice to move on from minor horror movie roles to a character who is very much in the core of the film and has many layers?
It was. The character and the ability as an actor to play with lots of different layers and innovation was great.

You recently attending Supanova (comic convention) in Australia; how fun was it to meet and interract with the fans?
It was great. I feel so lucky that people enjoy the show [The Flash] so much and even feel compelled to say hi and introduce themselves. The Australians were all so friendly, I was expecting them to be much more rambunctious and rowdy! It was so nice to see everyone and it was invigorating with us going back into production for season two. To get that interaction can be very motivating at four o'clock in the morning when you're standing on set!

Talking of The Flash, how has the show impacted on you considering the mass fan base it has already built up?
It is overwhelming and so flattering that people in so many places have responded well to the show. I just feel very grateful. It's not something we necessarily experience when we're shooting but it was great to meet some fans and it's amazing that these stories connect with people internationally.

With so many unanswered questions and twists in Season One of The Flash, what can we expect from Caitlin in Season Two?
I'm really excited with what you can expect from Caitlin. The first episode of season two is going to be a doozy because it's going to include some changes as well that are really going to affect Caitlin. I'm excited and hopefully season two will see her out of S.T.A.R. Labs a little bit more...

That sounds very exciting! If you could sum up and tease what we can expect from the next series what you you say to fans?
I'm not allowed to reveal much as I will get into big trouble with the producers! We've already received emails warning us, so the fact that we've received them should tell you that they have so many great things in store.

Finally, Grant Gustin says that Superman is his favourite superhero, who is yours?
I think Mums are superheroes, those are definitely my superheroes!

Interview - James Cullen Bressack

Source: IMDB

*Originally posted at Filmoria* 

Having plied his trade within the horror genre for some years now, James Cullen Bressack has taken to bringing us his latest film offering by way of Thailand, as Pernicious haunts and terrorises us with a story that carries a true love for classic properties of years past.
Following our interview with leading star Emily O'Brien, we had the chance to pose some questions to the man behind the making of the film, and here's what he had to say.

Where did the origins of Pernicious come from?
The producers reached out to me and wanted me to make a horror based in Thailand. I started doing some research and found that there was an actual dark arts Thai practice that was done on the black market where they would turn a child - usually a baby - into a solid gold statue, trapping the body inside. They thought it would bring good luck to keep this in the house. I was like, this is the perfect thing to turn evil and become a horror movie. It was that coupled with the fact I wanted to see two of the most popular sub-genres [supernatural and torture porn] together. Torture porn was huge a while ago e.g. Hostel and Saw series and kind of fell off and I think people wanted to start seeing that again.

The film itself is very reminiscent of the famed Japanese horror classics of years gone past; were these an influence on your work or were there others?
I was heavily influenced by Asian Cinema. My personal favourite movies are Japanes and Korean films, and I also watched a Thai movie called Sick Nurses, which is also a horror. I'm a huge fan of J-Horror and I feel like you can feel that love for that genre on the screen within Pernicious.

Horror is a very expansive realm in the film industry, is there one specific sector of the genre that you hold dearest e.g. zombies, hauntings etc?
My favourite genre of horror movie, believe it or not, is a good old-fashioned slasher film. I love slasher films and I think there hasn't been a really great one in a long time.

You have a brilliant rapport in your leading trio within the film. How did you come across Emily, Ciara and Jackie?
They all auditioned for me actually and I couldn't have lucked out with better girls. We've all remained very close since and I've worked together with Ciara three times now, and with both Jackie and Emily twice now, so it was great to know we can work well together and get along so well. We really bonded in Thailand as we there quite a while and have remained close since.

Emily previously spoke about the restrictions of working in Thailand, what was it about the location that you felt would suit the film?
The movie was always supposed to be based in Thailand, so there is no other location the movie could have taken place in. It was so intertwined with Thai folklore because it was always supposed to be a Thai film, and part of the movie is actually in Thai also.

You already have a wealth of horror outings on your filmography, what is next up your sleeve in terms of scaring audiences?
I'm working on a horror movie right now, I just started writing it and I think it's definitely going to be really terrifying and something I've never seen before. I also just finished shooting a horror movie called Bethany, which starred Stefanie Estes, Zack Ward, Shannen Doherty and Tom Green, and I'm really excited for people to see that one. It's a really scary film and Anna Harr who plays Bethany is a terrifying little girl, so I can't wait for people to see this. If you want to keep up with my films please follow me on Twitter (@JamesCullenB) and say Hi; I respond to people all the time.

Time Lapse Review

 *Originally posted at Filmoria*

It's fair to say that we as an audience are more than accustomed to the time travel element of science fiction, no matter what form it takes. Various sci-fi genre offerings have dealt up a multitude of different scenarios to explain and present this much discovered means of scientific exploration. Back to the Future used a DeLorean, Donnie Darko theorised with portals, and now Bradley King's Time Lapse uses its own special means to predict the outcome of the future.

Finn (Matt O'Leary) is an aspiring artist whose creative spark is currently flailing and far from showing itself, while his girlfriend Callie (Danielle Panabaker) seems to be blossoming as a writer. The pair, living also with their addictive gambler friend Jasper (George Finn) are in a seemingly comfortable living arrangement.

When their tenant Mr. Bezzerides (John Rhys-Davies) goes behind on his rent, Callie is forced to visit the old man to retrieve the money, only to find him dead. With the body of the old man in the apartment, Callie and her friends also discover something rather unsettling in the form of a machine that takes pictures of the future. With such technology able to essentially predict the future, the trio decide to use it for their own personal gain, but eventually the lust for money and much more turns their lives upside down.

Time Lapse is a clever twist on the conventional time travel element of the science fiction section of cinema, instead playing on the morality side of things and presenting a varying detail of seeing into the realms of future development. In presenting such an intriguing scenario, the film requires strong protagonists in order to drive the story forwards, and this is where it becomes slightly lacklustre. While The Flash star Danielle Panabaker remains a reliable force of decision-making and ultimately acting proficiency, her male counterparts are somewhat cliched and questionably dull.

Panabaker's strong-willed Callie is a key cog in this wheel, often guiding these two individuals from the dirt track back onto the road of common sense and also delivers her own brand of secrets and surprise that certainly catch us unawares. She has a sense of depth about her, while the male side of this story seems to be about money, power and a sense of depression; something that as audience we can't quite grasp hold of for too long.

That being said, Time Lapse is a refreshing proposition, especially considering this is a debut feature from director Bradly King. Limiting himself to a restricted set could have turned out claustrophobic, but in fact the director has himself a bold and advantageous choice in his repertoire, with the unfolding events playing perfectly in such a small space. It makes for extra tension and a true feeling that these three characters are very much immersed and stuck in this situation together, with no-one allowed to escape from it.

This is a film that explores the morality of human nature, questions each character's motives and places us in the position of these everyday people, asking us what exactly would we do in this specific scenario. It twists and turns its way to an impressive finale, slightly faltering at some of the key character interaction moments, but still reaches that finish line with a distinct level of impressive edge.

Time Lapse is certainly no world-beater in terms of its execution, but considering it is a debut feature, this is a sci-fi offering that is hard to ignore, if only for its innovative means of telling the often utilised time travel narrative. The film is often saved by the brilliance of Panabaker and her evolving personality, while her male partners in crime somewhat hinder proceedings at times. The usual conventions are certainly defied, but this is a film that is hampered in some of the key moments.

Slow West Review

*Originally posted at Filmoria* 

The western; a staple of a cinematic era long past, but one genre that provides a new instalment from time to time. Gone are the days of the classics that involved John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and others, but every so often we get a glimmer of hope that this throwback genre still possesses a certain magic that is simply undeniable. Looking to hit the target is John Maclean's Slow West, a film that defies the usual framework of the classic western and instead throws up much, much more.

Jay (Kodi Smit-McPhee) has embarked on an epic journey that will see him travel from Scotland to the very ends of America's West in search for the one true love of his life, Rose (Caren Pistorius). Having spent much of their childhood together and going against the wishes of their families, the pair shared a special bond, one that Jay still believes is very much worth travelling thousands of miles to rekindle.

Travelling the dangerous and outlaw-heavy plains, he soon comes across the barrel of a gun, only to be rescued by outlaw Silas (Michael Fassbender), whose wish to see the boy to safety in return for money seems like an offer too good to refuse. What Jay doesn't know is that Silas is actually on his own quest, with Rose's bounty and the riches it brings firmly on his mind.

John Maclean's western is about as compelling as a modern day genre offering can get, blissfully swatting the familiar mould of the dust-covered, gunslinging adventure scenario, in order to bring to viewers something much different. Instead, the debut director delivers to us a striking story that pits two individuals on different ends of the spectrum and questions their own being and theories about life.

Smit-McPhee's Jay is hypnotised by love and the beauty of life, while Fassbender's Silas is simply awaiting death and destruction at every corner he reaches. This dynamic makes for a striking on-screen partnership, with both actors playing their part in fusing a solid and powerful duo. The younger of the pair is admittedly emotionless at times, but this actually plays into the film's and the character's strengths, with Fassbender often commanding as he has reliably done so in so many other films in his repertoire.

Along the way, Slow West sees us encounter a whole host of outlandish and trigger-happy foes, with each adding that something extra under the simmering sun and dusty lands. Among those, Ben Mendelsohn's Payne, whose past with Silas adds an extra dynamic in what is a rather simplistic and singular layered movie. Not that it needs to be anything more - to the contrary - Slow West is in fact stronger for its direct narrative, blending a number of flashbacks with its present day unfolding of events.

This all couples with some simply sublime cinematography that screams at us for more of the same from this sector of the film universe. With New Zealand serving as an ecstatic backdrop of America's West, we are dealt with exceptional postcard visuals blooming with every frame. From the dusty oranges to the resplendent flowering of the forests, there is a distinct beauty about Slow West that once again sets itself apart from your run-of-the-mill western.

The beautiful landscapes and capturing of every intricate detail only shift into further brilliance in what is an utterly enthralling finale; one that is shot with sheer awareness of what a classic shootout should be. Gunmen hiding amongst the corn, a house under fire, and our focus duo in their own predicaments, the finale of the film will have you squirming and bolt upright in equal amazement and dread, with an air of unpredictability remaining until the final moments. Beauty and dread combine to culminate in a fascinating conclusion to a film that pays dividends for its audience remaining patient.

Slow West is exactly what is says on the tin, a slow-burn western that delivers in its gradual build-up and tips the scales in terms of cementing itself as a rather diverse offering within the rarely visited genre. With Fassbender and Smit-McPhee in the driving seat the film is always in safe hands, and with some simply exquisite direction and cinematography you would be hard pushed to find a more impressive debut feature of this ilk in recent times. 

Bloody, beautiful, romantic and enthralling, Slow West is certainly a western that demands attention and so much more.

Pernicious Review

Source: IMDB

*Originally posted at Filmoria* 

It's commonplace within the horror genre for myths and legends to surface and plague the main characters in the fold. Bloody Mary is a name that instantly comes to mind, while films such as The Ring brought about darker stories involving creepy children. The next to surface and look to bring about a new urban legend is Pernicious, cementing a Thai legend in the chambers of horror.

Julia (Emily O'Brien), Alex (Ciara Hanna) and Rachel (Jackie Moore) are on a trip to Thailand to aid young children, but not without a period of respite and exploration first. Checking into their rather aging accommodation, the girls come across a gold statue of a young girl and this sets off a series of unsettling events.

Experiencing bloody and brutal nightmares is just the beginning, as visions of the golden child plague the trio and they begin to realise that they are in the midst of something powerful, possessive and dangerous. Their quest to find answers leads them to a witch-like individual in the woods, but is this creepy figure the cause of such disturbance or the answer to ridding themselves of this demonic force?

Pernicious certainly begins with much promise; its opening providing gore-craving fans a neat little indicator as to what to expect further down the line and setting the foundations for its back story. It's beautifully presented and deeply effective - the kind of introduction that sounds out promise - but it's not all plain sailing as far as the full package goes.

From there, Pernicious presents the all-too-familiar sight of American youth heading to a foreign land and finding themselves subjected to the dangers of other people and, of course, the curse of an age old legend. It's all run of the mill stuff and it doesn't help when two thirds of the leading trio continuously make decisions you simply cannot compromise time after time. It's that air of familiarity that doesn't allow Pernicious to set itself apart from other genre offerings of a similar ilk, especially when it begins to imitate them.

Once we finally delve fully into the mystery of the 'golden child' wreaking havoc with our girls, the jump scares and outcome begin to remind us too much of films such as The Ring and The Grudge. A predictable mirror jump, a Nightmare On Elm Street-esque bath scene and plenty of other planned shock moments appear all too mimicked and rather let this originally refreshing film falter.

That said, there are some moments of inspired presentation throughout the film that leave it far from the rotting corpses of the dungeons of horror ridicule. It must be noted that the overall cinematography of Pernicious is quite beautiful; its spanning of Thailand reveals a bustling market-heavy location dominated on its outskirts by quaint and deserted lands. Add to that the striking colour of the more brutal scenes, with its splashes of red illuminating the screen and even the video nasty money shots appearing inspired, especially considering a film of this budget.

Coupling this with a trio who are tight-nit in chemistry on-screen, Pernicious certainly packs its fair amount of positivity, especially with Emily O'Brien leading the way for the girls. O'Brien, coaxed into leadership within the group, remains a safe bet in terms of her execution, while both Hanna and Moore have their fair share of favourable moments, even if sometimes the script does induce unintentional laughter.

Pernicious will certainly avoid being classed as an outright horror disaster, but it does, more often than not, feel like a replication of much improved horror outings merged together. Strong hints of The Ring in not only jump scares but also its main demonic evil, this is a film that certainly pays respect to the modern day favourites, but possibly holds too much of a candle to them.

Despite this, it does have its fair share of standout moments; a neat twist early on will have you double-taking, while a slow evolution and darkness emerging within one character will arrive at just the right time for a clever and fun conclusion. Gore seekers will find some solace, but those looking for a multi-layered and unpredictable horror may want to seek out something elsewhere.

Spy Review

Source: Wikipedia

*Originally posted at Filmoria* 

Paul Feig and Melissa McCarthy are quite simply an undeniable double act in the modern era of comedy. Having set the genre alight with the crude wedding disaster of Bridesmaids, and letting Sandra Bullock in on the act in The Heat, they are two-for-two, and now they have their sights on spoofing 007 and beyond in their latest flick, Spy.

The CIA's top agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) in an untouchable force as he swiftly goes from one mission to the next with relative ease, aided by basement-dwelling mission collaborator Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy). With Susan acting as the eyes and ears during each and every mission, it is Fine's job to be the muscle, making them the finest pair to get the job done.

Unfortunately, things have to come to a swift end and, when the villainous Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne) compromises all of the agents withing the agency, a new mission is born, one that could see a nuclear bomb released within New York. With all agents in a position where their appearance would be instantly recognised, it calls for an unknown to enter the fray; a time for Susan Cooper to enter the field and show the world she can make a difference...

We've seen spoof movies all-too-often in the past and more than regularly they result in flat, unnecessarily weak and unfunny film experiences best left on the cutting room floor. While Spy isn't quite your Naked Gun, it does have its moments and genuinely laugh-out-loud snippets that make it a worthy entry into the comedy field.

First and foremost, Spy is bolstered by its impressive cast, with Melissa McCarthy leading the way with her trademark swagger and care-free f-bomb planting and domination. Recently, McCarthy has somewhat been burdened with a number of roles that simply leave her typecast into a specific character role (Tammy, Identity Thief), but her re-teaming with Feig brings her back to her best.

Thankfully, it's not just about one of the strongest women in comedy, with Spy featuring a host of brilliantly written and varying characters that perfectly span the spy movie genre and shake things up. Jude Law's suave, smooth-talking agent is your James Bond model who brings the familiarity and Jason Statham's rough around the edges agent is quite simply hilarious, with his over-the-top stories of heroism and gung-ho attitude towards getting the job done.

Then there's Miranda Hart in her first major movie exploit, bringing the British charm and silliness to the plate as McCarthy's fellow office dweller, her geeky exterior proving a decent fit to this jigsaw, albeit often stepping into the annoying category. Allison Janney is superb as always, while Rose Byrne pushes her posh accent and plumps up her hair for a brilliant villain turn that is worthy of a place as a turncoat Bond girl. It's an ensemble that oozes brilliance, even if 50 Cent's surprise appearance does fall a little by the wayside. Watch out for a handsy and very Italian Peter Serafinowicz too..

Part of Spy's charm is its slick scripting, with Feig rarely misfiring with his collection of jokes and one-liners. McCarthy's transformation as the film progresses is bolstered by some brilliant put-downs towards other characters and when her and Statham are collectively on screen the sparks fly and the fun doesn't stop. It's good to see that Feig has a blissful awareness of action as well, with Spy also embracing the adrenaline-fuelled side of the genre he is spoofing, with some brilliantly shot set pieces and plenty of laughs thrown into a street chase scene.

It's a real shame though that Spy is a game of two halves, with the first section of the film really struggling to find its feet early and dragging along at a slow pace, before being given that adrenaline shot and new lease of life heading into a much improved second half. That's not to say that it isn't a hoot; Spy is imaginative, hilarious and star-studded, it just doesn't quite gain the credentials to become a comedy with the licence to fully thrill.

San Andreas Review

Source: IMDB

*Originally posted at Filmoria*

By now, if you don't know who Dwayne Johnson is then you may want to consider coming out of hibernation. A man whose dubbed status as 'franchise viagra' and whose sheer persona lights up fans and critics alike, Johnson has the world at his feet. His latest film offering, San Andreas, sees him with something much worse beneath him, but can he save the day or is this one disaster outing that is exactly what it says on the tin?

Ray (Johnson) is a search and rescue helicopter pilot for the LA Fire and Rescue Department who is thrust into action when the destruction of the Hoover Dam is caused by a staggering earthquake. With many more predicted by a concerned scientist (Paul Giamatti), it soon becomes apparent that the whole population along the San Andreas Fault is in grave danger.

With both his estranged wife (Carla Gugino) and daughter (Alexandra Daddario) in the midst of danger, Ray sets out to protect and rescue the two women in his life before they become victims of these life-changing events unfolding before them.

Brad Peyton's movie is one that many people will approach with caution, considering past offerings in the genre - we're looking at you 2012. On the surface, yet another disaster movie with the familiar 'family in danger' cliche, San Andreas is often on already trodden ground, but it does possess its own positive characteristics.

This is a movie that is regularly throwing the audience a barrage of perilous moments and all play out with a great sense of dread and a striking visual splendor. From the moment the first sense of danger arrives, Peyton doesn't let up in presenting harrowing scenes where buildings are crumbling, the public are victims of Mother Nature and helplessness is rife.

Each moment of earthquake chaos is captured superbly, with the CGI far from jarring and the sound effects and pounding soundtrack all adding to the authenticity of the events unfolding before us. Shattering glass, buildings turning to dust and beyond, Peyton has his handle on how to present a disaster epic for sure, it's just the details in-between that lack that extra bite.

San Andreas may be striking in its core dramatic components and visualisation, but when it comes to the dialogue there are big problems. All too often are we privy to mistimed family memories between our core characters and the inclusion of Ioan Gruffudd's tycoon and a pair of over-the-top Brits appear massively cliched and a huge annoyance. There are lines that evoke unintentional laughter littered all over the place and, despite Johnson's one-liner about second base, there is little true laughter to be had here.

That aside, the main trio of the movie are bankable, with Johnson blissfully taking on his role like he was born to do so. His one-man rescue team is somewhat unbelievable but with Johnson in charge we can still buy that this is a man who can reach beyond the boundaries and complete the impossible. Such is the charisma and prowess of the leading man.

San Andreas may not be able to spar with the heavyweight blockbusters of this year, but it still packs some punch in terms of entertainment value. Cliches aside, Peyton's film is powerful in its presentation of peril and rarely puts a step wrong in terms of its eye-catching moments of decimated buildings and landscapes.

This is a film that can be considered an earth shaker, but certainly no groundbreaker.

Watch The Intense Trailer For Disney's The Finest Hours

Tales of epic proportions and human struggles have always been a staple of the world of cinema, often presenting some of the most intense and realistic experiences to witness on the big screen.

Looking to continue just that, Disney's The Finest Hours has released another stunning trailer, featuring the story of courageous coastguards who risked it all to save the lives of others.

Featuring a stellar cast in the form of Casey Affleck, Chris Pine, Eric Bana and Ben Foster, The Finest Hours certainly looks like it will pose a heart-wrenching and gripping experience like few others.

You can watch the intense trailer below.




Synopsis:

In February of 1952, one of the worst storms to ever hit the East Coast struck New England, damaging an oil tanker off the coast of Cape Cod and literally ripping it in half. On a small lifeboat faced with frigid temperatures and 70-foot high waves, four members of the Coast Guard set out to rescue the more than 30 stranded sailors trapped aboard the rapidly-sinking vessel. “The Finest Hours” is the story of their heroic mission, which is still considered the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.

The Finest Hours is due for release next year.

Hilarious New Ice Age Short - Cosmic Scrat-tastrophie Arrives!

Scrat's at it again as the latest Ice Age movie looks set to take the world by storm once more.

To celebrate the future release of Ice Age: Collision Course, set for release in Summer 2016, a hilarious new short has been unveiled from the wonderful people at 20th Century Fox.

You can enjoy it below.

Ant-Man Blu-Ray & DVD Release Details

Very much continuing the humourous side of the Marvel universe, Ant-Man promised a new age of superheroes as this current Phase looks to evolve the Avengers into something completely new.

Spearheaded by Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas, this was a surprise of a movie from the hugely accomplished Marvel Studios and once again showed they are far from finished in their dominant stage.

As the 30th November draws in the DVD and Blu-Ray release for the film, you can trawl through all the details below.

BONUS CONTENT – Blu-ray™ and Itunes

 

Making Of An Ant-Sized Heist: a How-To Guide

Set your watch and count down the action in this fast-paced behind-the-scenes look at how to pull off a heist movie, including Scott Lang’s hilarious heist “family,” Ant-Man’s costume, plus amazing stunts and effects.

Let’s Go To The Macroverse

Shrink down to size in this fascinating look at creating the world from Ant-Man’s perspective, from macro photography through to the subatomic.

WHIH NewsFront

A hard-hitting collection of content, including a glimpse at the future of Pym Technologies with Darren Cross, anchor Christine Everhart’s interview with soon-to-be-released prisoner Scott Lang on his notorious VistaCorp heist, and more.

Deleted & Extended Scenes

Gag Reel

Audio Commentary By Peyton Reed And Paul Rudd

DVD

No bonus

PRODUCT DETAILS:

 

FEATURE RUN TIME:       117min

 

RATING:                               12

 

ASPECT RATIO:                  Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ & DVD

 

LANGUAGES:                     DVD: English, English Audio Description, Hindi, Spanish (Castilian)

                                                BLU-RAY: English, English Audio Description, Turkish, French, German

SUBTITLES:                          DVD: English SDH, Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish (Castilian), Swedish

                                                BLU-RAY: English SDH, Arabic, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish

Brilliant New Ice Age: Collision Course Images

Dubbed as a 'cosmic catastrophe' for Scrat this time around, the latest movie in the Ice Age series - Ice Age: Collision Course - has begun its marketing campaign with the ever-brilliant focus on Scrat and his beloved acorn.

Very much taking its advertisement from Matt Damon-starring The Martian, the first poster for the movie features a close-up of Scrat just as we were given for the much more serious Damon vehicle.

As always, the Blue Sky entity is inspired in its use of promotion and this is only increased by a great new image of Scrat in space joined by his acorn in its own spacesuit. It's so Gravity you can't even imagine!

Enjoy the new images below. 

Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World.  To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, travelling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colourful new characters.

New Clips From Ronaldo Documentary

Whether you believe if he's the best footballer in the world or not, there's little to deny that in this footballing era Cristiano Ronaldo would get into any team.

The Real Madrid star sets the pitch alight whenever he plays and he will forever be solidified in the history books, with a simply scintillating record and star quality oozing from him.

To celebrate the player and man himself, the documentary Ronaldo uncovers so much more than the player we see on our television screens. An intimate portrait of a father and an icon, the movie looks to peel back the layers and reveal the true Cristiano Ronaldo.

You can watch two clips from the film below, ahead of tomorrow's special premiere in London.

Warcraft: The Beginning Posters & Trailer

Based on the massively popular gaming series, Duncan Jones' foray into videogame adaptation is hugely anticipated, and from the looks of the first trailer and posters it could certainly be a cinematic event that lays waste to the genre curse.

Warcraft: The Beginning looks to be filled with stunning CGI, enthralling set pieces and hit hard with an emotional core that few others of its type have presented in the past.

Check out the new trailer, as well as some great posters, for the film below.

Warcraft: The Beginning hits cinemas in June next year.

Celebrate Brooklyn With New Clips

Today is officially Brooklyn day - the film starring Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Emily Bett Rickards, Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters is an absolute treat and ranks among the very best of the year so far.

To celebrate the release of this truly remarkable, touching and exceptionally funny film, a bunch of great new clips from the movie have been released for your viewing pleasure.

Take a look at them all below and make sure you head to the cinema this weekend to witness this majestic film.




Brooklyn is out in cinemas now.

Watch The Mockingjay Part 2 London Premiere Highlights

The fact that it was Bonfire night or that the weather was truly British last night certainly didn't dampen the spirits of the masses and the cast of Mockingjay Part 2 in London as the final send-off commenced.

With stars such as Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and so many more took to the red carpet, they were met with the greatest of support from the adoring fans.

You can watch the highlights of the premiere below.




Also, don't forget to check out my Mockingjay Part 2 review over at MovieMarker!

Watch The Mockingjay - Part 2 London Premiere Live

Last night I was among many lucky journalists who sat down to witness the final chapter of The Hunger Games saga, Mockingjay - Part 2.

Whilst my review will follow soon - I can confirm it's great - today sees the London premiere for the film as the likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and the rest of the gang embark on their final journey together.

As many of you will undoubtedly be peeved that you cannot make the event, fear not, as you can watch it all live through the link kindly provided below.

The event will begin this evening so make sure you don't miss out!

Brilliant New Poster For Sisters

If you're a fan of comedy then the names of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey won't be far down your list of those talents who constantly deliver the belly laughs and are forever invigorating the comic plains with fresh and exciting new content.

Lifelong friends and former SNL starlets, the pair are teaming once more for a feature film that is 100% guaranteed to get audiences flocking - Sisters.

To celebrate the upcoming release, a brilliant new poster has arrived, which you can see below.

Final New In The Heart Of The Sea Trailer Arrives

Chris Hemsworth may be used to tackling the might of the monsters of Asgard, but now brings forth the challenge of Moby Dick and the true story of the men who tackled this classic sea creature.

Steered by the directorial prowess of Ron Howard, In The Heart Of The Sea looks epic in every sense of the word and this final trailer solidifies just that.

Check it out below.

Synopsis
Oscar winner Ron Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”) directs the action adventure “In the Heart of the Sea,” based on Nathaniel Philbrick’s best-selling book about the dramatic true journey of the Essex.

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex was assaulted by something no one could believe: a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance.  The real-life maritime disaster would inspire Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick.  But that told only half the story.  “In the Heart of the Sea” reveals the encounter’s harrowing aftermath, as the ship’s surviving crew is pushed to their limits and forced to do the unthinkable to stay alive.  Braving storms, starvation, panic and despair, the men will call into question their deepest beliefs, from the value of their lives to the morality of their trade, as their captain searches for direction on the open sea and his first mate still seeks to bring the great whale down.

“In the Heart of the Sea” stars Chris Hemsworth (“The Avengers,” “Rush”) as the vessel’s veteran first mate Owen Chase; Benjamin Walker (“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter”) as its inexperienced Captain, George Pollard; Cillian Murphy (“The Dark Knight Rises”) as second mate Matthew Joy; and Ben Whishaw (“Skyfall”) as novelist Herman Melville, whose inquiries into the event 30 years later helped bring the story to light.

Tom Holland (“The Impossible”) also stars as young seaman Tom Nickerson, and Brendan Gleeson (“Edge of Tomorrow”) as the same man, 30 years later.  Spanish actor Jordi Mollà (“Riddick”) is the captain of another ship, the Archimedes, who tries to warn the Essex of what may lie ahead.